Description of Work Presenteeism. Explanation.

Definition Work Presenteeism. Description.

Work Presenteeism is the culture in which employees
are working (very) long hours, even in the weekends, without overtime pay. Or they
are feeling that they must show up for work even if one is too sick, stressed
or distracted to be productive; the feeling that one needs to work extra hours
even if one has no extra work to do. They (feel they) are expected to
work longer hours and take fewer holidays than the boss demands, to show an
adequate commitment to the organization.

Medically, it can be described as the problem of workers being
on the job but, because of medical conditions, are not fully functioning. The
health problems that result in presenteeism include such chronic or episodic
ailments as seasonal include: depression, back pain, arthritis, heart disease,
high blood pressure, and gastrointestinal disorders. An example of presenteeism
might be an employee who suffers from depression and as a result is less able to work
effectively. Another example might be the employee with a migraine headache
who may have difficulty looking at a computer screen.

It is a relatively new term used to describe workers who remain
on the job but who are not as productive as usual due to stress, depression,
injury, illness, or something as simple as a migraine headache. The results
of presenteeism include a decrease in the quality and quantity of work, an
increase in mistakes, and a work overload on other employees.

Presenteeism might seem to boost productivity by making it appear superficially that employees
are working harder. In reality, the health effects of stress on productivity
– and the impact on an organization’s work culture – can be counter-productive, especially in the long run. Being present for many hours does not necessarily mean
the employee is also very productive.

For these reasons some employers encourage their
employees to work smarter rather than work longer. Other organizations
may ask employees who normally come in to work while they're sick, to stay home and take some rest.

Presenteeism is the opposite of
Absenteeism. The term "presenteeism"
was coined by Professor Cary Cooper, a psychologist specializing in organizational
management at Manchester University in the UK. According to Cooper, presenteeism
follows from insecurity and fear of job loss.